New York Rangers and Harvey alumni team up for fundraiser

Greg Janos ’98 and Colton Orr face off for the ceremonial puck drop by Harvey alumnus Rich Mack ‘91, a former Harvey Hockey goalie. Harvey coach Colton Orr controls the puck as he plays with the New York Rangers alumni team. Teams of Harvey alumni and New York Rangers alumni pose for group photo before the game. Gabe Palacio Photos

The rink was packed, a sold-out crowd with extra seats squeezed into every corner, as the Harvey School hosted a New York Rangers alumni ice hockey game on Jan. 10 at the legendary Everts Rink as Rangers legends faced off against a team of Harvey hockey alumni.

The event was organized by current Harvey Director of Hockey coach and former New York Ranger Colton Orr. Through his leadership and connections, Orr was able to organize the game with his former teammates and Rangers legends including Adam Graves, Stephane Matteau and NHL Hall of Famer Brian Leetch. The event was a fundraiser for updates and repairs to the Evarts Rink at Harvey, built in 1968 and a hub for local youth hockey leagues, figure skating clubs and learn-to-skate programs in Northern Westchester for decades.

It was a spirited event as fans were able to interact and get autographs from the Rangers before and after the game, and the action on the ice was exciting as the two teams battled up and down the ice. The Harvey Alumni opened the scoring and led 2-1 going into the first intermission after Rangers legend Adam Graves rifled a blistering shot off the post and into the net. Cavaliers goaltender Mark Siegel, Harvey Class of 2015, later answered with a terrific save, robbing former Ranger Marc Staal on a breakaway to keep the game within reach.

 The second half featured a back-and-forth battle. Late in the period, Harvey’s alumni relations director, Greg János ‘98, scored what proved to be the game-winning goal by snapping a quick backhand off a faceoff.

With the Harvey alumni leading 6-5, the Rangers pulled their goalie for a six-on-five advantage, but Harvey goalie Siegel stood firm. A loose puck kicked off the boards to János, who pushed it ahead to Brandon Hickey ’12, who then buried the empty-net goal to seal the 7-5 victory for the Cavaliers.